One of the few bright spots in this dark season for the Giants has been the play of their run defense. The performance of the team’s interior defense has been, well, lights out.

Throughout the offseason, the battle cry of the defense was the stop the run and then the pass rush would follow with opponents being forced to throw the ball. They got it half right.

The Giants, who face the NFL’s leading rusher in the Eagles’ DeSean McCoy on Sunday, have allowed just one 100-yard rusher this season (Carolina’s DeAngelo Williams) and held Adrian Peterson to just 28 yards on Monday night.

In the first Giants-Eagles game, McCoy was limited to 46 yards on 20 carries and he has said publicly this week that he’s out to even the score.

The stars of the show have been the Giants' four-man defensive tackle rotation of Shaun Rogers, who is doubtful (knee) vs. Eagles, Cullen Jenkins, Linval Joseph and Mike Patterson. Jenkins and Patterson, a former Eagle, were signed as free agents this offseason.

Also a big factor in the run defense has been defensive end Justin Tuck, whose contributions have flown under the radar because of the team’s struggling pass rush.

Here’s even more good news. The Giants' defensive tackle rotation has played so well that second-round pick Jonathan Hankins can’t even get on the field – and he can play, folks. He may be activated vs. Eagles with Rogers hurt.

So, there you have it. For Giants fans looking for an encouraging sign moving forward, you can point to the run defense.